Attending the Australian Superyacht and Marine Export Conference was an opportunity to immerse myself in the latest trends and developments in the industry. With a lineup of great topics and presenters, all attendees would have gained valuable insights and information across many subjects and industry sectors. The conference opened positively with AIMEX President, Jeremy Spear providing an enthusiastic address emphasising the importance of teamwork & collaboration. Jeremy talked about the opportunities presently available within the industry and encouraged everyone to take advantage of the networking opportunities available given the key Australian and International stakeholders present.
Following on from the inspiration of Jeremy, Peter Munckton, Chief Economist Bank of Queensland, gave an address talking about the current and critical drivers of the Australian economy. He spoke about the average net profit of manufacturing businesses being 10%, with the biggest issue being attracting and retaining workers. He talked about the decision-making process of purchasing new equipment versus continuing operations with old equipment and the productivity issues that arise from this. Peter certainly delivered food for thought, especially around where the Australian dollar might head against the US and the likely focus of government moving forward.
ORGANISATIONS MUST BE LARGE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SEE YOU AND STRONG ENOUGH FOR YOUR VOICE TO HAVE AN IMPACT
INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY DRIVING BUSINESSES FORWARD
Gillian Carter from Pacific Marine Design, who has an impressive record of working for major brands within the superyacht sector, took the stage with Theo. She talked about the 18 Feadship projects she has worked on and her acceleration through the ranks within Feadship. Feadship, who was not a promotor of work from home, has made an exception for Gillian, who is so highly regarded she now works from her home on the Sunshine Coast of Australia, commuting to Amsterdam once a month to manage her team. Gillian talked about the massive steps in innovation and technology she has been involved with. Competition brings innovation, and innovation has to happen for boatyards to survive. Feadship appears to have a solid strategy in this space. Gillian inspired everyone, especially when hearing about the recent technologies and sustainability improvements she is employing in her projects.
Moving on, the conference was in awe of the Virtual Reality technology that is paving the way for inspirational marketing. ‘Seeing is believing’ was the theme of Echo Yachts embracing this exciting marketing tool. VR is especially relevant for Australian companies where taking superyachts or models to Monaco and other key international shows is cost-prohibitive. The virtual experience becomes transformative and enriches the buying experience. Echo Yachts Australia has embraced this marketing technology tool and recently provided prospective clients at the Dubai show with a taste of this motivating experience.
Whiskey Project Managing Director Ryan Carmichael provided a next-level look at what is happening within the commercial and defence sector. Ryan comes from a background within the Defence Sector; being an experienced military operator, his insights into this sector are acute. The Whiskey Project team have successfully developed a tactical watercraft that is now being sold to the US Marine Corps. With the day’s theme continuing to promote collaboration, Ryan talked about thought leadership, collegiate technology sharing and recognition of the passion driving the Australian Marine Industry.
Globally, there is considerable discussion regarding decarbonisation and the pros and cons of Lithium batteries, and the ASMEX conference ensured this was an ongoing topic on their agenda. The panel of speakers talked about insurers being nervous trying to understand their exposure in this issue. It was exciting to hear about the new Steber hybrid vessels and the collaboration between Steber and the University of Newcastle. Advancements in the technology of lithium batteries are ongoing, and they appear to be here to stay. Electrification, hybridisation, and the switch from conventional fuels are ongoing debates and discussions and were also high on the agenda at the ICOMIA conference in Singapore.
Paul Steinman, ex VEEM and well-known to many, is now CEO of Enautic, which has developed technology that enhances the operation of hydrofoils. During lunch at the conference held at Sanctuary Cove, Paul demonstrated the prototype W-Foil Enautic have developed. Technology they say positively differentiates their market offering from many others. www.enautic.co
BOOT DUSSELDORF THE PLACE TO BE
Petros Michelidakis, Director, boot Dusseldorf, provided a great overview of the benefits of exhibiting or even just visiting the Dusseldorf show, and I must say, whilst I have not been, I have had its virtues extolled to me by many. When you hear the enthusiasm and statistics Petros provides, it would be hard to argue against visiting this show. The only slight downside for Australian companies is the January timing, which falls within the summer holiday season in Australia.
POLLUTION AND SOLUTIONS
Pollution and solutions were a headline topic within the conference, with excellent presentations by Mark Mellinger, Headhunters Inc. John Kavanagh, Pacific Maritime Lawyers and Chris Munster, Director Probiotic Power. There was a lot of discussion regarding the various international and domestic regulations relating to pollution, especially the issues businesses and vessels face with inconsistent standards between states in Australia. You need a lawyer to navigate it. This is never good, and organisations like Superyacht Australia are putting forward industry views on this issue, working towards a consistent approach across states. Pollution is an emotive issue with several key components. The government environmental regulations, community expectations and the big question always is who pays for a clean-up?
With the critical issue being how to manage pollution, Chris Munster, Propower talked about solutions including environmentally beneficial wastewater, cleaning and deodorisation products.
GULF CRAFT CEMENTED IN AUSTRALIAN MARKET
Gulf Craft have been established in Australia for some time and have had a regular presence at ASMEX over the years. Lee Oldroyd, Chief Commercial Officer for Gulf Craft spoke about the many years of operation of Gulf Craft in Dubai and the fact they have manufactured over 10,000 vessels during their 40-year history. Gulf Craft has also been supportive of Australian manufacturers and will always look to include Australian companies in their supply chain if a product or service meets their needs. Lee mentioned the positive talks regarding a free trade agreement between the two countries, seeing this as strengthening the ties between Gulf Craft and Australia. Following the conference, I visited the Gulf Craft stand at the Sanctuary Cove International show and took a tour of the latest Nomad yacht. The interior styling of this yacht is stunning. One has to say this yacht will have a strong appeal on the Australian market; it certainly presents value for money.
USA/AUSTRALIA RELATIONS CONTINUE TO GROW
One of the most dynamic speakers of the day was Kitty McGowan, President of the US Superyacht Association. Appearing at ASMEX for the second time, Kitty gave an update on the superyacht market in the US. The US is the largest consumer of superyachts in the world, so a critical market for everyone. Kitty spoke of the relationships with Australia and the fact she happily promotes the Pacific region as the premier superyacht destination, especially given today’s geopolitical environment. She touched briefly on the upcoming US elections and its possible impacts but, most importantly, emphasised the importance of global relationships within the industry.
Melissa White, Director of South Pacific for SeaKeepers, gave an overview of the work SeaKeeper does within the Pacific Region. Angela Pennefather, Melanesian Yachts, alongside Captain JT Bundren, Minderoo Foundation/Ocean Explorer Pangea, gave an interesting insight into their focus, discussing their work in New Guinea and the incredible stories about some of their projects.
AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY THRIVING
The day was wrapped up by David Good, CEO of AIMEX, who gave an insightful presentation on the current state of the Australian superyacht sector. With the opening of the market for charter, the investment in world-class infrastructure, plus all-year-round cruising, Australia has gone from strength to strength with a 34% increase in visitation from 2022-2023 and a 71% increase in maintenance and refit activities for the same period.
This conference delivered immense value across a broad spectrum of topics, making it an extremely relevant and must-attend event for the industry. The conference setting at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove was sublime, with lunch by the lagoon and kangaroos lazing on the lawns. A true Australian experience for our international guests. Businesses must understand the current state of the economy and the industry to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve. Networking with other industry professionals also allows for sharing knowledge, building connections, and potentially forming partnerships that can drive business growth. This combination of learning from experts and networking with peers allows us all to stay informed, inspired, and equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of the superyacht and marine export industry.
Whilst many say they cannot afford the time or money to attend conferences, I say, how can you not if you are serious about driving your business forward?
Having attended two excellent conferences in the last two months, ICOMIA and ASMEX, I have to commend the organisers of both for their on-the-money programme of relevant topics and insightful speakers. We must all keep abreast of what is happening as those who don’t get left behind in this day and age.
Maryanne Edwards, GMBA Australia / New Zealand
Tel: +61 41 291 6036
Email: medwards@gmba.blue
Disclaimer: Global Marine Business Advisors is a registered legal entity and is a network of independent marine industry advisors. In all articles the opinions expressed are those of the author and does not necessarily reflect those of GMBA.
